Additional vector control workers deployed in central Jamaica

By Clinton McGregor 

 

The Ministry of Health says it has deployed additional vector control workers to central Jamaica to combat an increase in mosquitoes and rodents following the hurricane.

 

Speaking on Sunday's special edition of That's A Rap, which was live from Clarendon, Director of Environmental Health in the Ministry, Michael Williams, said a number of programmes have been launched to combat the expected surge in vector-borne diseases following the passage of Hurricane Beryl.

 

"In June, July, thereabout we [took] on an additional 500 vector control workers and these workers do a variety of interventions, including larvicidal actions, search and destroy and of course the fogging. We also increased our purchase of chemicals for the vector control programme, both machines and equipment," he said.

 

Mr. Williams noted that there has been an "exponential increase" in the vector population, following the hurricane. 

 

"We're talking about vectors of diseases as well as nuisance mosquitoes. There is also an increase in the number of flies we have because of the excessive garbage around and also rodents. Their burrows would have been washed out and they will be coming into our homes. So it's not just mosquitoes that we are concerned about and we have put together a programme to intervene." 

 

Residents in communities across the island have been complaining of a mosquito nuisance since the hurricane and there are fears of a surge in dengue cases in the coming weeks.